Many older adults have missing teeth. Whether this happens to you as the result of gum disease or an accident, dental implants are possible solutions that look and feel like natural teeth. Use this guide to understand whether they might be right for you.

A Brief Guide to Dental Implants

What’s an implant?

A dental implant is a permanent artificial tooth. Unlike dentures and bridges, it contains both a crown and root that is anchored to the jawbone. As the titanium root fuses with the jawbone, it stimulates bone growth. This helps protect against jaw deterioration, which could result in bone loss over time.

What are the benefits of one?

By filling in the gap in your smile, it makes speaking and eating easier. It also prevents teeth movement, which could affect dental alignment and your bite. 

A gap left by a missing tooth can also harbor food particles and bacteria, so an implant will protect against gum disease and the loss of more teeth.

With the rod affixed to the jaw, the implant could also help reduce temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.

What can I expect from the healing process?

There’s a six- to 12-week healing period in which the bone will fuse to the implant to create a permanent solution. The crown will be placed in a separate appointment after that.

For optimal healing, you must be committed to maintaining good oral hygiene. This means brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist biannually. 

Is this right for me?

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or several. However, you must have good general and oral health and enough jawbone to support the implant.

The area around the nose and sinus cavities may not have sufficient bone to support the procedure. However, a dentist may be able to perform sinus augmentation to raise the sinus floor and increase the amount of bone available. 

If you’ve lost a tooth and want a permanent replacement option, contact the dental office of Curtis Wade, DDS, PS in Burlington, WA. Dr. Wade is a leading surgical periodontist who’s placed over thirty thousand dental implants during his 15 years of practice. He also performs sinus augmentations. Visit his website to learn more about implants, or call (360) 757-0201 to schedule a consultation.